Toka Natua

Toka Natua (born 22 November 1991) is a New Zealand rugby footballer. She has represented New Zealand in rugby union and the Cook Islands in rugby league. She plays for the Blues Women in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

Toka Natua
Date of birth (1991-11-22) 22 November 1991
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Weight96 kg (212 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2020 Waikato 36 (25)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2020 New Zealand 24 (25)
Medal record
Women's rugby union
Representing  New Zealand
Women's Rugby World Cup
Gold medal – first place2017 IrelandTeam competition

Rugby career

2015

Natua made her debut for the New Zealand women's national rugby union team, the Black Ferns, in 2015 against Canada.[2]

2017

Natua scored a hat-trick and was also cited for foul play, in New Zealand's victory over England in the final of the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup.[3][4] She then represented the Cook Islands at the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup in Australia.[5]

2019–20

In 2019, she was part of the Black Ferns team that won the Women's Rugby Super Series.[6] In 2020, she was named in the Black Ferns squad that took on the New Zealand Barbarians in Waitakere.[7][8]

2023

Natua joined the Blues Women for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season.[9][10] At the end of 2023, she will be joining her partner, Pita Gus Sowakula, and their one-year-old daughter in Clermont, France.[11][12] She will be signing with the Clermont women’s side.[13][14]

Personal life

Natua is of Cook island descent and was born in Tokoroa. She is a graphic designer.[15]

Honours

References
  1. "Toka Natua | Rugby.com.au". www.rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  2. "Toka Natua". allblacks.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. Meagher, Gerard (27 August 2017). "Toka Natua irrepressible as New Zealand end the dream for battling England". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  4. "Womens Rugby World Cup 2017". www.rwcwomens.com. 18 August 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  5. "Black Ferns star Toka Natua representing Cook Islands at Women's Rugby League World Cup". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  6. "Black Ferns skipper Les Elder returns for Super Series decider against England". Stuff.co.nz. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  7. "Six debutants named in Black Ferns side to take on New Zealand Barbarians". www.rugbypass.com. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  8. Powell, Jennie (12 November 2020). "Teams named for Black Ferns v NZ Barbarians". 4 The Love Of Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  9. "Super Rugby Aupiki: Black Ferns prop Krystal Murray to make Hurricanes debut after leaving Blues". Stuff. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  10. Cama, Akuila (22 December 2022). "Tough few months for Sowakula". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  11. Dermody, Jessica (21 December 2022). "One door shuts, another opens for Sowakula". 1 News. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  12. Rasekaseka, Marika (22 December 2022). "Sowakula and partner to join Clermont later next year". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  13. Vinicombe, Tom (14 December 2022). "'Still waiting for that World Cup': France-bound Sowakula gunning for 2023". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  14. "Pita Gus Sowakula confirms his future in France". Chiefs. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  15. CALDWELL, OLIVIA (26 May 2018). "Black Ferns star Toka Natua reveals how pro rugby contract has changed her life". Stuff. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
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